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Sunday, August 17, 2008

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Arsenal fringe man Justin Hoyte for a reported £3m fee.

Arsenal and Middlesbrough have confirmed that full-back Justin Hoyte has moved to the Riverside for an undisclosed fee, thought to be £3m.

He will be paraded before of the visit of Tottenham after flying through a whirlwind round of negotiations and a routine medical.

The 23-year-old has inked a four-year deal with Gareth Southgate's side and will be desperate to experience regular first-team football after waiting in the Arsenal shadows. With Luke Young departed to Aston Villa, Hoyte is set to be thrown into Southgate's starting XI soon.

The official Arsenal website states:

"Former England Under-21 international Hoyte progressed through the Club’s youth ranks after joining Arsenal at the age of nine. Justin made his first team debut in May 2003 in a Premier League match against Southampton at Highbury and went on to make a total of 68 first-team appearances during his time with the Club, including 15 in the 2007/08 campaign.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Justin for his contribution towards the Club and wish him the best of luck at Middlesbrough."

Boro have also confirmed the move via their official site, confirming: "Boro have completed the signing of right-back Justin Hoyte from Arsenal.

"Hoyte has successfully passed a medical and agreed personal terms in a deal that was completed earlier today."

Boss Southgate said yesterday of his target:

"Justin Hoyte has got fantastic potential. He's already a very good player and we've done research, we know he's a good professional in terms of his lifestyle."